Rating: LikedDid I finish?: I did -- I savored this one over a week.One-sentence summary: The story of a Greek city and one couple's love for each other and their hometown, spanning nearly a century.Reading Challenges:Historical Fiction

Do I like the cover?: I do -- it's bold and eye-catching, although I wish there would have been a historical image of Thessaloniki used (I'm presuming the city on the cover is Thessaloniki; my ARC doesn't give credit info for the cover.).

I'm reminded of...: Meira Chand, Tan Twan Eng, James A. Michener

First line: What I would like you to do, my dear, is to imagine you are a child again.

Buy, Borrow, or Avoid?: Borrow or buy, especially if you like saga-ish fiction -- historical or otherwise -- with a strong sense of place.

Why did I get this book?: The setting, the family saga, the pretty cover!

Review: I love reading novels for the armchair escape and the free history lesson. In this case, the Greek city of Thessaloniki is the setting of The Thread, and one couple's lifelong relationship the columns for holding up this saga-ish look at love, family, national identity, belonging, loss, and war.

Starting in 2007, a beloved grandson finally learns just how his grandparents met and what their lives were like. Normally I hate this frame -- why not just start with the meat of the story? -- but in this case, it worked for me. Hislop is skilled at conveying a foreign world in a way that resonates and feels ... not familiar so much as seen -- as if in a film or photo series. I've never been to Thessaloniki (hadn't heard of it, actually!) but in her story, this was a city I fell in love with, broke my heart over, and dreamed of visiting. Once a vibrant multi-religious setting of culture and commerce, a fire in 1917 razes much of the city, and the armies of World War I and II finish the job. The story doesn't end there, though; through our couple, we follow Greece through another forty years or so of change and their own responses to that.

There's romance, obviously, but as we know from the start of the novel that the couple stays together, the meat of the story for me wasn't the will-they-won't-they but how would they weather such violence and striking change. Their love of place influenced me and I loved Thessaloniki, and had my own complicated feelings about how the city evolved over the nearly one hundred years the novel covers.

If you're a fan of WWI or WWII fic, grab this one -- the Greek setting was interesting for me -- and anyone who likes a good family saga should give this one a try. I immediately thought of book clubs for this one -- at 400 pages it is a bit chunky but I raced through the story (although I made myself slow down to savor) and there's a wealth of themes for discussion.

*** *** ***

GIVEAWAY!

I'm thrilled to offer a copy of The Thread to one lucky reader! To enter, fill out this brief form. Open to US/Canadian readers, ends 7/27.

Anna -- I thought of you the whole time I was reading this -- it has so many elements that just make for a gorgeous wartime novel -- conflict, of course, but a fantastic sense of family and place. I'm so going to look for Hislop's previous novels now!

This one does sound good, and like something that would really pull me in. I love historical fiction, and get really excited about family sagas, so there is double interest for me. Great review today, Audra. I loved what you had to say about this one, and although I've reached my quota for WWII reads, I think I will make an exception for this one!

Thanks, Heather -- I'm so afraid I'm just redundant hyperbole sometimes! This was just a fantastic mix of wonderful writing -- felt v 'English' to me, if that makes sense, restrained, but wonderfully emotive, under the surface -- and it's more than a WWII novel, I'd say -- conflict and war, of course, but surviving, too.

I so love the "free history lesson" :) I'm not familiar with much about Greek history and just know the stereotypical cultural details. I do tend to get all caught up in a new history and then think I have to scavenge everything I can get my hands on about it after being introduced to a new perspective :)

This book sounds like a great and enjoyable way to learn about Greece and specifically Thessaloniki. The fact that Hislop's writing made you fall in love with this city makes me want to read this book. It's sad how the coity was destroyed and I'm curious to read what it became. I also enjoy good family sagas and this one sounds wonderful.You are skilled at choosing terrific books, Audra. Thank you! And thank you for a terrific review.

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I love Bloggiesta for reminding me to brush up and take of my blog, and doing it "in community", so to speak, makes this housework a little more fun.

Given my earlier whining about feeling out-of-it with my blog, I'm really excited there's a mini-event this coming weekend in which I can do some backend work here.

My to do list is pretty simple:make a top 10 of 2016 post (even if it is just a list!)review the book I just finished!I'd like to start 2017 without a backlog of reviews, so it feels important I keep up. We'll see if I'll tackle my 2016 backlog. (Perhaps for another Bloggiesta!)

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Do I like the cover?: Yes but it's not my favorite among the various editions (the 2006 hardcover is stunning).

I'm reminded of...: Laura Esquivel, Sandra Gulland

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Did... I feel a bit uncomfortable with the wholly pro-conquistador plot line?: YES, but the perk of these P.S. editions is the extras. This book includes an NPR interview with Isabel Allende who talks about keeping Inés' voice authentic to the era and having to, essential…

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